PACOG Board of Directors

An Lewis is a public administration professional with over 25 years of experience working with local governments. She is currently the Executive Director of the Steel Rivers Council of Governments which represents 19 municipalities in Allegheny County’s Monongahela Valley. An also serves as the Executive Director of the Tri-COG Land Bank which serves multiple municipalities and school districts across Allegheny County. She has been a leader in the movement to focus on blighted properties and to form a multi-municipal land bank. She holds two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree in public policy and management from the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University. An is also skilled in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She teaches various GIS and community development courses at several local universities.

Amanda Settelmaier is a public administration professional with 28 years of experience. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments (TCVCOG) which represents 20 municipalities in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Amanda specializes in intergovernmental cooperative efforts; grant writing/administration; and creating multi-municipal tools to mitigate community blight. Amanda is a graduate of East Allegheny High School and received a Liberal Arts degree from St. Vincent College. She went on to receive her Graduate Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the Graduate School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. She is also a graduate of Leadership Development Initiative through Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc.

Gary Myers is a public administration professional with over 40 years of experience. The past eight years he has served as the Executive Director of the Capital Region Council of Governments. CapCOG has 43 municipal members in a five-county area in Central Pa. Gary also served 11 years as manager of Columbia Borough in Lancaster County. Gary’s public service career started with 10 years working for Penn DOT in various administrative positions. Gary is a strong advocate for inter-municipal cooperation, public service, and advancement of cost-saving measures for citizens. Gary is a graduate of Millersville University with a degree in Political Science and Education. 

Jill Boozer has been with the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments (MCRCOG) for 17 years, serving as Executive Director for the past three. MCRCOG represents 31 municipalities across Mercer County, fostering regional collaboration and shared services. Jill is passionate about strengthening intergovernmental cooperation and believes that a renewed commitment to shared services is essential for the future of Mercer County. She advocates for dedicated funding and stronger partnerships among local governments to support collaboration and sustain vital services like public transportation. Jill holds a degree in Business Administration and resides in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Clint. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Patrick Conners is a public administration professional with nearly a decade’s worth of experience working for and on behalf of local governments in Southwestern Pennsylvania. He was recently appointed as Executive Director of the South Hills Area COG. He was previously the Executive Director of the Quaker Valley Council of Governments, providing strategic leadership to municipalities through intergovernmental cooperation, shared services, and regional grant administration. Additionally, Patrick actively contributes to several boards and commissions in Allegheny County including the Local Government Academy, the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT), and the Baldwin, Brentwood, Whitehall Shade Tree Commission. Patrick is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public and International Affairs holding a master’s degree in public and nonprofit management. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree from PennWest University with concentrations in political science and history.

Ben Estell is currently the Executive Director of the Centre Region COG. CRCOG was established in 1969 and is comprised of State College Borough and the Townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris, and Patton. The COG’s service area is approximately 150 square miles with a population of 97,000 residents including 45,000 Penn State University students. Ben Estell is a champion of cooperative government, committed to advancing collaborative efforts that enhance sustainable growth and equitable zoning practices. His work in Dormont, PA, highlights a dedication to strengthening partnerships across municipalities. Estell’s approach fosters shared solutions that balance urban growth with environmental stewardship, making him a key advocate for innovative, community-centered governance in Pennsylvania.